Letter: Pilgrims gave thanks to God for America

The Pilgrims gave thanks to God for America. “On August 1, 1620, the Mayflower set sail. It carried forty Pilgrims led by William Bradford.” They risked everything to come to the New World where they would certainly face hardships, so they “could live and worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences.”

The Church of England under King James I was persecuting anyone and everyone who did not recognize its absolute civil and spiritual authority. In 1600 England, those who challenged the theocracy and those who believed strongly in freedom of worship were hunted down, imprisoned, and sometimes executed for their religious beliefs.

The Pilgrims landed in New England in November, and they found, a cold, barren and desolate wilderness. During the first winter, half the Pilgrims — including Bradford’s own wife — died of starvation, sickness or exposure. When spring finally came, Indians, “the Native Americans, indeed,” taught the settlers how to plant corn and skin beavers for coats.

Textbooks today teach children the Pilgrims gave thanks to the Indians for saving their lives, rather than what it really was — “a devout expression of gratitude” to God — and if you doubt that, go look at George Washington’s first Thanksgiving Proclamation.